You're worried about your motherboard.
You're worried about your motherboard.
Hello. I'm using an MSI MPG X570 GAMING EDGE WIFI in my setup. The reason I prefer the current 3600X over a B450 Tomahawk Max is to take advantage of lower prices for higher-end CPUs like Ryzen 7 or 9 when they drop in price. I'm hoping to upgrade to a better CPU when it becomes available. There are some reviews mentioning that the MSI board isn't ideal and can struggle under load, particularly with heat on the VRM. Should I worry about this, or is it just a concern?
The information about the VRM cooling solution for x570 boards from MSI is accurate. The thermal management on those VRMs and MOSFETs isn't optimal, particularly when dealing with multiple boards using 8-phase power delivery. However, I haven't come across any personal experiences of issues with these boards. Overall, it seems most users are doing well.
It’s essentially about whether you’ll stick to normal settings or push things further.
1. Will you avoid heavy overclocking or just slightly boost frequencies? (around 10% increase)
1.2 Should you opt for a liquid cooling system?
You should be okay with a 3900x up to about 3900°C, thanks to the air cooler’s ability to circulate air across the VRM area. For higher temps, place a fan to direct airflow over or through the heatsinks. A water cooler can handle more heat but won’t provide the same targeted airflow unless you position it wisely—especially if the radiator is outside the case. If the fans are positioned away from the CPU socket, the VRM might not get enough cooling, so adding a fan to push air across the fins can help.
2. Are you planning a more aggressive overclock (higher voltages, aiming for extra GHz)?
Yes—install a fan to direct airflow onto the VRM area. A 3600 or higher CPU with around 65W TDP should stay cool in a standard case. If the board sits in poor airflow, temperatures can climb to 80-90°C, possibly reaching 100°C with a 3900x. That’s when extra cooling becomes necessary, like using a fan to blow air over the heatsinks.
Hello - thanks for your response! Regarding your questions: 1 - I plan to perform a modest overclock when upgrading, just to maximize performance without going all out. It seems unlikely to leave potential gains on the table. A reasonable boost in the future definitely looks promising, though I haven’t seen much overclocking capability from the 3600X yet. 1.1 + 1.2 - I’m considering an AIO setup. Maybe for style reasons or because I tend to be a bit fidgety with hardware, and the idea of a heavy motherboard always gives me a tingle. Using the stock cooler made me anxious! The current setup has three fans on the bottom, three at the top, and three on the sides, plus a radiator planned for later. 2 - I’m not overly concerned about serious overclocking. If I can squeeze an extra 100-200 MHz by tweaking a dial without risking high voltages or temperatures, I’ll be satisfied. And regarding your last comment – as far as I understand, the 3600X is a 95 TDP model, so any additional heat should be manageable. @TofuHaroto - I’m hoping the content you’ve seen is just reviewers pushing performance without focusing too much on everyday needs. I’d appreciate it if you could share one of your videos as an example here.
among all these, I’m familiar only with hardware that’s been unboxed. I really trust them. I also saw a few builds using these mobos, but I’d rather choose the safer path instead of taking risks (especially if you haven’t got one yet). Personally, I’ve heard some really bad things about certain boards, though everyone doesn’t have the same experience. If you don’t have the board yet, just grab another with a good reputation—since I can’t confirm or deny these claims myself and I can’t prove my own.
The issue is that I already own the component, but it's past its usable period. It looks okay right now, though it could be the reason why temperatures spike unexpectedly during gameplay. I’ll have to keep an eye on things until I get the CPU upgrade next year.
Similar to what @mariushm mentioned, the board is pleasant if you don’t overload it much. It’s not entirely bad—still an X570 with MSI BIOS/UEFI works well. If you keep it relaxed, it should perform okay. It still offers solid 6+2 phase power delivery, though the cooling isn’t very strong. As long as you’re not pushing it too hard, everything should be fine.
Fair enough, your concerns are valid. Switching to a CPU with lower power consumption is generally safe, but ensure the motherboard supports it. If the board accepts the change, you won’t risk damaging components. Just double-check compatibility before proceeding.